A Look At Some Of My Favorite Grand Staircases. What are YOUR favorites?

Here are a couple of my favorite grand staircases from homes that I’ve posted on the blog. From marble to wood staircases and y-shaped to double bridal staircases, there is definitely an array of different styles. What are some of YOUR favorite grand staircases? Share with us!

architect 121

A grand staircase is very important in a house, it must be right size and it must of course look good!

The ones on the above photos are all very good, especially the one that shows the amazing staircase in the McLean, VA mansion (the 3rd from left, lower line), and I think Arcways designed that one. That is an amazing company.

mattc

Charlie makes a great point in that there is a casual elegance to a sophisticated circular stair that doesn’t overpower the home.
Classy elegance is a winner over the McMansion double staircase in my book every time.
I agree that the first one is also my favorite.
Mike you are right that Arcways are master craftsmen in their trade and the best in the industry. Check out their portfolio at http://www.arcways.com and click on the gallery section….quite amazing !
My personal favorite staircase of all time would have to be the 4 story circular one at the Biltmore in Asheville.
Although much of the place is way over the top, you’ve got to give props to the engineering genius of George Vanderbilt to be able to cantilever 102 two ton treads of stone in a radius spanning over 20 feet and climbing to 75 feet of height with no visible means of support.
Nothing built like that today, or perhaps ever, again.
( Who could afford it ? )

Kyle

Daniel

As much as I hate the whole package (giant house + crap location), I have always loved Champ D’Or’s staircase. It really is phenomenal and so very grand. If the house is bulldozed, that will be the part I miss most of all.

Grrrowler

Barney

Without a doubt, staircase #3, bottom row….magnificent. Proportionally correct, with a domed ceiling as stunning as the stairs, shape, railing & materials themselves. And the perfectly-sized, BREATHTAKING chandelier is the exquisite topper. And, I disagree totally with the double-staircase argument…..when they’re done RIGHT, and NOT, repeat NOT over done, two can be incredibly elegant & beautiful.

architect 121

Kyle

The stiarcase and dome themselves look nice, but the walling and ceiling for the rest of the building in the picture look horrible in my opinion, far too plain and cheap-looking. I understand those who don’t want pure gaudiness, but you can also go too far in the reverse and just look far too plain for a luxury home as well. The walls and ceiling prior to the staircase and dome need some paneling or definition or something.

Barney

Being a former high-end Realtor, Kyle, I can absolutely assure you that your observation is in the micro-minority, no question. I’ve also worked in interior design, and can again guarantee you that if the small portion of wall you mention were touched at all, then the entire grand staircase would go from magic (as is) to tragic, in a heartbeat, my friend. Anything more would look like the architect(s) & interior designer(s) who designed/built & decorated this stunning space completely lost it and went horribly overboard. But, to each their own

Kyle

Really!? Hmm…well it’s just the walls and ceiling prior to the staircase just look so plain and white. I mean the old European homes for royalty, you never saw anything like that. They always had paneling or decoration or something on the walls, at least from what I have seen.

How would adding decoration or paneling or something to the walls hurt the staircase?